DTV, LTR, O Visa and ability to keep working remotely

Thai‑visa options for a 65‑year‑old U.S. retiree with pension, disability and part‑time income include: Non‑Immigrant O‑A (Long‑Stay Retirement) visa, Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) for Remote‑Work/Digital Nomad, and Long‑Term Resident (LTR) Visa – Wealthy Pensioner category. For O‑A: qualify by THB 800,000 in a Thai bank or a monthly income of at least THB 65,000 from a pension or other reliable source; your combined U.S. pensions may exceed the income floor. The visa is issued for one year and renewable. For DTV: require THB 500,000 held in a Thai bank for three months; foreign bank statements may be accepted if translated and certified, but transferring funds to a Thai bank is safest. For LTR: require monthly income of at least THB 100,000 or annual income of THB 1,200,000 and assets of at least THB 10 million held in a bank or investment accounts; your pension stream and U.S. investment assets may meet these thresholds. The LTR visa is issued for five years and renewable, with potential work-permit eligibility and condo ownership rights. Next steps include translations of all pension award letters, VA disability letters, and bank/broker statements; letters from U.S. institutions confirming accounts and transferability; Thai bank statements for O‑A or DTV, or foreign statements with translation; asset-valuation reports for LTR; and note that paperwork and fees vary by consulate. The author recommends consulting further for personalized assistance in preparing documents and choosing the most cost-effective pathway. Sincerely, A-i-c

Thai‑visa options for a 65‑year‑old U.S. retiree with pension, disability and part‑time income

Non‑Immigrant O‑A (Long‑Stay Retirement) visa – The current rule (Thai Immigration Bureau, 2023‑2024) allows the applicant to qualify either by (a) holding THB 800,000 (~ USD 23,000) in a Thai bank account for at least two months, or (b) proving a monthly income of at least THB 65,000 (~ USD 1,800) from a pension, annuity, or other reliable source. Your combined U.S. government, military and VA pensions (~ USD 10,500 / month) comfortably exceed the income floor, so you can apply without the large deposit, provided you submit official benefit letters, recent bank statements showing the regular credit of those amounts, and a certified English‑Thai translation. The visa is initially issued for one year and is renewable annually as long as the income requirement continues to be met.

Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) – Remote‑Work/Digital Nomad – The DTV requires proof of THB 500,000 (~ USD 14,000) held in a Thai bank for a minimum of three consecutive months. The immigration office does accept foreign‑bank statements (e.g., from Charles Schwab, Vanguard or Fidelity) if they are translated, notarised and accompanied by a letter from the bank confirming the balance and the three‑month holding period. Some consulates also accept a certificate of deposit or a custodial statement from a U.S. brokerage that shows the funds are readily transferable; however, the safest route is to transfer the required amount into a Thai bank before applying, because a Thai‑account statement eliminates the need for additional verification.

Long‑Term Resident (LTR) Visa – “Wealthy Pensioner” category – Introduced in 2022, the LTR program targets retirees who can demonstrate (i) a monthly income of at least THB 100,000 (~ USD 2,800) or an annual income of THB 1,200,000, and (ii) assets of at least THB 10 million (~ USD 280,000) held in a Thai bank, a Thai‑registered investment account, or a foreign account that can be officially translated and certified. Your pension stream (~ USD 10,500 / month) far exceeds the income threshold, and the combined market value of your U.S. investment portfolios (well above the THB 10 million asset floor) would satisfy the asset test, provided you can furnish bank‑certified statements, a recent portfolio valuation, and a sworn translation. The LTR visa is issued for five years and can be renewed indefinitely, granting you long‑term residency, work‑permit eligibility (for certain professions) and the right to own condominium units.

Next steps & documentation checklist
- Certified English‑Thai translations of all pension award letters, VA disability award letters, and recent bank/ brokerage statements (showing at least three months of continuous balances).
- A letter from each U.S. financial institution confirming the account holder, balance and that the funds are freely transferable.
- If you choose the O‑A route, a Thai-bank statement showing the THB 800,000 deposit (if you prefer the deposit route) or a simple income‑verification letter.
- For the DTV, either a Thai‑bank statement of THB 500,000 or the foreign‑bank statements described above, plus a notarised translation.
- For the LTR, an asset‑valuation report from your broker, a Thai‑bank statement of any local holdings, and the same income documentation as above.
- The exact paperwork, translation requirements and fee structures can vary by the Thai consulate where you apply, we recommend consulting further to review your dossier, ensure all translations meet the Royal Thai Consular standards, and submit the application on your behalf. If you have any further questions or would like personalized assistance preparing the documents and choosing the most cost‑effective visa pathway, please let us know, we’re happy to help you navigate the process.

Sincerely,
A-i-c